Allen West calls for Obama impeachment, cites prisoner swap

Former Congressman Allen West wants his former colleagues in the U.S. House to file articles of impeachment against President Barack Obama.

Former Congressman Allen West wants his former colleagues in the U.S. House to file articles of impeachment against President Barack Obama.

Anthony ManSun Sentinel

Former Congressman Allen West wants his former colleagues in the U.S. House to file articles of impeachment against President Barack Obama.

Citing the swap of five Taliban prisoners of war held by the U.S. at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the American prisoner of war, West said the action warrants impeachment of the president.

He detailed his case in a radio interview on Tuesday, further explained his reasoning in a blog post on his website, and summed up his feelings on Twitter, writing “The time has come. I call on House leadership to draw up articles of impeachment #Bergdahl.”

From West:

"Obama’s breaking of the law in this case presents serious national security concerns — for all Americans. This is aiding and abetting the enemy, which goes along with the collusion of this administration with Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organizations and supplying weapons and arms to Islamists.

Obama just released the leadership of a terrorist organization, and what did we get in return? A deserter, who by his own self-proclamation harbors anti-American sentiments — which it seems that Susan Rice, our esteemed National Security Advisor, didn’t even realize his heinous actions — or maybe as usual she just lied about it again. Bergdahl served the United States with honor and distinction? Let’s not send Susan Rice out ever again.

To hear Obama state that “no American should be left behind” — has he forgotten about Benghazi and Marine SGT Tahmooressi? How about leaving behind American veterans to die?

Ladies and gentlemen, I submit that Barack Hussein Obama’s unilateral negotiations with terrorists and the ensuing release of their key leadership without consult — mandated by law — with the U.S. Congress represents high crimes and misdemeanors, an impeachable offense.

He joined ROTC in the 10th grade. He went into the Army as soon as he finished college, eventually becoming an artillery officer and paratrooper and rose to lieutenant colonel.

In 2003, when West was a battalion commander in Taji, Iraq, he fired his weapon near the head of a prisoner to frighten the detainee into divulging information about a planned ambush. The detainee started providing information, but based on the Army investigation, it's not clear whether it was valuable.

West was removed from command and the Army considered a court-martial. West argued he acted to save his troops, was fined $5,000, and was allowed to retire with full honors and benefits.

West ran for Congress three times, losing in 2008, winning in 2010, and losing in 2012.

He was a constant critic of Obama while he represented parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties in 2011 and 2012.

By the time he sought re-election, the political climate had changed from the Republican wave during the 2010 midterms. Facing a difficult re-election in a district whose boundaries were changed by the Republicans who controlled the Florida Legislature, he switched districts in 2012 and narrowly lost his bid for a seat representing northern Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

He’s has a political action committee and is a regular commentator on the Fox cable channel. West’s first book, "Guardian of the Republic,” went on sale last month.

The former congressman has been mulling a political campaign in 2016, possibly for U.S. Senate or the presidency.